380 Auto (ACP)Handgun Cartridge

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:

The .380 Automatic (ACP) has grown in popularity over the last several years due to the vast quantity and variety of .380 pocket pistols being sold. Like most pistol cartridges, it headspaces on the case mouth. When loading for this cartridge, bell the case mouth just enough to reliably guide the bullet into position and then secure the bullet with a taper crimp. Using this seating and crimping technique will help ensure proper headspacing.

The S.A.A.M.I. overall cartridge lengths for this cartridge are .940” min. and .984” max. Seating on the higher end of this range is best so as not to encroach on the .380’s already limited case capacity, provided that the longer rounds will function well in your particular firearm.